Geo-ecological Zones Research Articles

Correction: Balgah et al. Impacts of Floods on Agriculture-Dependent Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Assessment from Multiple Geo-Ecological Zones. Land 2022, 12, 334

There was an error in the original publication [...]

Community knowledge, attitude and practices regarding zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fevers in five geo-ecological zones in Tanzania

BackgroundViral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) cause significant economic and public health impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Community knowledge, awareness and practices regarding such outbreaks play a pivotal role in their management and prevention. This study was carried out to assess community knowledge, attitude and practices regarding VHF in five geo-ecological zones in Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Buhigwe, Kalambo, Kyela, Kinondoni, Kilindi, Mvomero, Kondoa and Ukerewe districts representing five geo-ecological zones in Tanzania. Study participants were selected by multistage cluster sampling design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and information related to knowledge, attitude and practices regarding VHFs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis.ResultsA total of 2,965 individuals were involved in the study. Their mean age was 35 (SD ± 18.9) years. Females accounted for 58.2% while males 41.8%. Most of the respondents (70.6%; n = 2093) had never heard of VHF, and those who heard, over three quarters (79%) mentioned the radio as their primary source of information. Slightly over a quarter (29.4%) of the respondents were knowledgeable, 25% had a positive attitude, and 17.9% had unfavourable practice habits. The level of knowledge varied between occupation and education levels (P < 0.005). Most participants were likely to interact with a VHF survivor or take care of a person suffering from VHF (75%) or visit areas with known VHF (73%). There were increased odds of having poor practice among participants aged 36–45 years (AOR: 3.566, 95% CI: 1.593–7.821) and those living in Western, North-Eastern and Lake Victoria zones (AOR: 2.529, 95% CI: 1.071–6.657; AOR: 2.639, 95% CI: 1.130–7.580 AOR: 2.248, 95% CI: 1.073–3.844, respectively).ConclusionOverall, the knowledge on VHF among communities is low, while a large proportion of individuals in the community are involved in activities that expose them to the disease pathogens in Tanzania. These findings highlight the need for strengthening health educational and promotion efforts on VHF targeting specific populations.

Population genomics reveals demographic history and selection signatures of hazelnut (Corylus).

Hazelnut (Corylus spp.) is known as one of the four famous tree nuts in the world due to its pleasant taste and nutritional benefits. However, hazelnut promotion worldwide is increasingly challenged by global climate change, limiting its production to a few regions. Focusing on the eurytopic Section Phyllochlamys, we conducted whole-genome resequencing of 125 diverse accessions from five geo-ecological zones in Eurasia to elucidate the genomic basis of adaptation and improvement. Population structure inference outlined five distinct genetic lineages corresponding to climate conditions and breeding background, and highlighted the differentiation between European and Asian lineages. Demographic dynamics and ecological niche modeling revealed that Pleistocene climatic oscillations dominantly shaped the extant genetic patterns, and multiple environmental factors have contributed to the lineage divergence. Whole-genome scans identified 279, 111, and 164 selective sweeps that underlie local adaptation in Corylus heterophylla, Corylus kweichowensis, and Corylus yunnanensis, respectively. Relevant positively selected genes were mainly involved in regulating signaling pathways, growth and development, and stress resistance. The improvement signatures of hybrid hazelnut were concentrated in 312 and 316 selected genes, when compared to C. heterophylla and Corylus avellana, respectively, including those that regulate protein polymerization, photosynthesis, and response to water deprivation. Among these loci, 22 candidate genes were highly associated with the regulation of biological quality. Our study provides insights into evolutionary processes and the molecular basis of how sibling species adapt to contrasting environments, and offers valuable resources for future climate-resilient breeding.

Impacts of Floods on Agriculture-Dependent Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Assessment from Multiple Geo-Ecological Zones

Surging extreme events, particularly floods, have stimulated growing research on their epidemiology, management, and effects on livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), especially for agriculture-dependent households. Unfortunately, the topical literature is still characterized by independent, isolated cases, with limited relevance to understanding common flood effects across geographical space and time. We bridge this knowledge gap by analyzing the effects of multiple cases of flash, coastal and riverine-cum-pluvial (‘complex’) floods on agriculture-dependent livelihoods in three (Sudano Sahelian, Coastal and Western Highlands) geo-ecological zones in Cameroon. The analysis makes use of a sample of 2134 flood victims (1000 of them in the Sudano-Sahelian, 242 in the Coastal, and 892 in the Western Highlands zones) of 26 independent community floods: 11 in the Sudano-Sahelian, 3 in the Coastal, and 12 in the Western Highlands zone. Irrespective of flood type and geo-ecology, agriculture-dependent livelihoods were gravely impaired. However, the impacts on livelihoods and public goods (such as road or communication systems) significantly varied in the different geo-ecological zones. The study concludes with the need to include context-specificity in the flood impact assessment equation, while identifying common effects, as is the case with agriculture in this study. We emphasize the need to up-scale and comparatively analyze flood effects across space and time to better inform flood management policies across SSA.

Degradation of a protected mountain area by tourist traffic: case study of the Tatra National Park, Poland

Mountain protected areas are characterized by high biodiversity, which makes it a great challenge for managers to maintain a balance between their use and the stability of natural ecosystems. Maintaining that balance is particularly difficult in areas with high tourism pressure. The expected volume of tourist traffic should be considered at the planning stage of the tourist infrastructure development process. Insufficient capacity of tourist infrastructure can lead to environmental degradation, which is hard, or at times impossible, to repair. In our research, we identified patterns of tourist footpath and road functioning in an environmentally protected area with high volumes of tourist traffic. Data from geomorphologic mapping was analyzed in order to identify tourist footpath and road structures in the Tatra National Park (TNP). Fieldwork was conducted in several stages between 1995 and 2019. Orthophotomaps from the years 1977, 2009, 2017 and 2019 were used to identify and compare degraded zones along selected tourist footpaths. Degraded zones were defined as areas surrounding a footpath or tourist road with a mean width larger than or equal to 10 meters, with heavily damaged or completely removed vegetation and exposed, weathered cover, where geomorphic processes that would not take place under normal conditions are readily observable. The examined tourist footpaths and roads vary in terms of their morphometric parameters. Research has shown important differences between mean and maximum footpath width as well as maximum incision depth for the forest zone versus the subalpine and alpine zones. A lack of differences in these parameters was noted between the alpine and subalpine zones. Research has shown that an increase in the surface area of degraded zones found adjacent to tourist footpaths occurred in all the studied geo-ecological zones in the study period. However, the largest increase occurred atop wide ridgelines found in the alpine zone. Degraded zones may be an indication of exceeding the tourist carrying capacity of a mountain tourist area. Mass tourism in TNP contributes to the formation of degraded zones adjacent to footpaths, whose continuous evolution may lead to irreversible changes in local relief.

Wood micro-morphological characteristics of the Tribe Dalbergieae in Nigeria

The present study examined the wood micro-characters of 18 species of the tribe Dalbergieae across 4 genera in Nigeria, following previously described methods by other authors. The species are distributed across all geo-ecological zones of the country but more abundant in the southern area which is characterized by higher precipitation. Findings clearly showed that members of the tribe Dalbergieae have more generic/tribal characteristics than delimiting characters. The species have certain unifying characters such as diffuse pore porosity, simple perforation plates, oblique to orthogonal vessel transverse wall inclination, prismatic/styloid crystals, and non-septate fibres. Vessels were longest and widest in D. saxatilis, about 197.89x104.23µm. On the contrary, the shortest was observed in D. hostilis - 67.62 µm while the narrowest was in D. oligophylla (28.4 µm). While fibre length was highest in P. mildbraedii (331.22 µm±7.5) and smallest in D. saxatilis (0.69 µm±0.0), the ray cells were longest in D. saxatilis (185µm) and shortest in P. santalinoides (41.82µm) respectively. We confirm here that anatomical studies should not be neglected in plant systematics, even though molecular approaches have been the focus in recent times.

Жер-су атауларындағы ұлттық мəдени ақпарат жайында

Мақала жер мен су атауларындағы ұлттық мəдени ақпараттың ерекшеліктерін зерттеуге арналған. Авторлар ғасырлар бойы қалыптасқан жəне лингвомəдени сипаты бар географиялық атауларда көрініс тапқан ұлттық дүниетанымның өзгешелігін жəне қазақ этносының өмірлік дағдыларының, тыныстіршілігінің куəсі болып табылатын жер мен су атауларының өзіндік ерекшелігін қарастырған. Жүргізілген зерттеулердің негізінде авторлар тарапынан дəстүрлі қазақ мəдениетінің ошағы болыптабылатын көшпелі мал шаруашылығының тек географиялық ортамен тығыз байланысты болу мүмкіндігі тұжырымдалған. Сондай-ақ, шаруашылықтың бұл түрінің өзіндік физика-географиялық, табиғи ерекшелігі бар белгілі геоэкологиялық зоналарда ғана болатындығы дəлелденген. Көшпелі мал шаруашылығымен айналысқан халықтың өзі мекен еткен, тіршілік құрған географиялық ортаға бейімделу, сол ортаның табиғи ресурстарын пайдалана білу қабілеттері көрсетілген жəне жер-суатауларында сол жерлердің айрықша белгілері жайында сақталған ұлттық дүниетанымдық ақпараттың молдығы айқындалған.

RABIES IN A SET OF EIGHT-WEEK OLD PUPPIES IN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR REVIEW OF CURRENT DOG ANTIRABIES VACCINATION SCHEDULE.

Background:Rabies is endemic in Nigeria with clinical cases reported mainly in dogs and occasionally in livestock from all the geo-ecological zones of the country. Detection of rabies virus antigen in puppies at the age of five to ten weeks and in apparently healthy dogs shedding the virus in their saliva have been reported in some parts of Nigeria.Material and Method:This report describes a clinical rabies in a set of eight weeks old puppies confirmed by antigen detection using the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), the direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT), and RT-PCR.Results:it was positive for all test used including the RT-PCR which amplified at 750 bp from the gel electrophoresis.Conclusion:Occurrence of rabies in puppies of this age, within which they are acquired and owned by other unsuspecting members of the public, is of grave public health consequences. People that love puppies, especially children, who are fond of carrying and playing with them, are also faced with the risk of exposure to rabies. Consequently, review of the existing dog antirabies vaccination schedule at twelve weeks of age in Nigeria, is recommended to ensure effective immunization of this age group of dogs and for the overall safety of the vulnerable members of the public.

Analyzing and Measuring Vulnerability: An Approach with Special Reference to Mountain Areas

The article discusses different approaches to the analysis of vulnerability and argues for the adoption of a capability approach to vulnerability. Vulnerability is related to exposure to hazards and the susceptibility or impact of those events. On the other side are capabilities to cope with and adapt to hazards. In order to retain comparability with the measurement of vulnerability in other geo-ecological zones, the article does not devise a separate index for mountain communities; rather it argues for making sure that mountain-area features of the economy and environment are captured in the variables and indicators. Variables that are to be used in developing an index are divided into three main components of exposure, susceptibility and capabilities, with the latter being subdivided into coping and adaptation.

Geographical Approaches to the Study of the Urban Environment

This paper discusses geographical approaches c environmental studies taking into account natural andanthropogenic factors. Focuses on the methodology for assessing the ecological status of urban areas. Weconsider a system of evaluation criteria in geo-environmental situation. To assess the geo-ecological situationspreviously summarized the main factors of its creation in the form of diagnostic Among the mainfactors affecting the natural geo-ecological situation (ecological framework) and anthropogenic. By the exampleof Kazan celebrated territorial and geo-ecological zones of the most important features.

Timberline in the Carpathians: An overview

In nature, division lines are delineated where multiple important environmental features change. These division lines may be singled out at the intersection of two geosystems (Balon 2000) where the functional uniformityof the geosystems located on both sides are preserved (Forman & Gordon 1986; Cadenasso et al. 2003). A significant environmental boundary is the upper forest boundary (timberline), which separates differentvegetation zones: (1) forest from non -forest (Piękoś -Mirkowa & Mirek 1996); climatic zones (2) cool from very cool (Hess 1965); geoecological zones (3) periglacial from temperate forest system (Kotarba 1996). A timberlineis a sensitive ecosystem therefore is a good indicator of changes occurring in the environment. There are, however, multiple elements which affect the timberline. This ecotone has also been widely analysed in local,regional, and even monographic studies of numerous massifs. It is necessary to present and organise the great amount of information in order to aid research on the timberline in the Carpathians.

Fish Species as Eco-indicators in the Comparative Ecological Characterisation of two Creeks in the Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fish species have been used to compare the ecological characteristics of two surface waters in the same geo-ecological zones of the Central Niger Delta. The authors carried out 24 ecological expeditions along the Kolo and Otuoke Creeks in the Study Area for the purpose of comparing the ecological characteristics of these two surface waters that are in the same geo-ecological zone. Duplicate ecological surveys were conducted across three fishing seasons in the Study Area, and the traditional eco-livelihoods knowledge of experienced fishermen was explored during the survey to ensure that the surveys captured the spatial and temporal variation of fish species distribution of these creeks. The result of our study shows that there was no significant statistical ecological differences between the Kolo and Otuoke Creeks based on the following ecological indices: relative species percentage abundance; species richness; species diversity index; Shannon diversity index; and Simpson diversity index. Furthermore, the Bray-Curtis similarity index was used to demonstrate that the two surface waters were ecologically significantly similar. The implication of our findings is that the ecological attributes of surface water in the same geo-ecological zone are not significantly different in the absence of major environmental noise or human induced stress.

Transferability and application of microsatellites (SSRs) from &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Juniperus communis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L. to &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Juniperus procera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Hochst. Ex endl.

Transferability of five nuclear microsatellite markers (Jc-16, Jc-31, Jc-32, Jc-35 and Jc-37) that were originally developed for J. communis was tested to J. procera. Jc-31 & Jc-37 showed successful amplifications and polymorphism in J. procera. Jc-35 which had been reported as polymorphic in J. communis was monomorphic in J. procera while the primer pair for Jc-32 failed to record any amplification. The remaining one primer pair (Jc-16) showed double loci ampli-fication in both J. procera and the control J. communis suggesting further examination of the primer pair and its binding sites. Genetic variation of six Ethiopian J. procera populations: Chilimo, Goba, Menagesha-Suba, Wef-Washa, Yabelo and Ziquala was assessed based on the two polymorphic loci (Jc-31 & Jc-37) in 20 - 24 individuals of each population. From these two loci, a total of 41 alleles could be retrieved. Two populations that are located south east of the Great Rift Valley together harboured 75% of private alleles signifying their deviant geo-ecological zones and suggesting special consideration for conservation. Chilimo, which is at the western margin of Juniper habitat in Ethiopian central highlands scored the highest fixation (FIS = 0.584) entailing lower immigrant genes and hence higher inbreeding. The AMOVA revealed that 97% of the variation resided within the population while still among population variation was significant (p

Comparative Proximate and Chemical Analysis of Feral and Arti-ficially Reared Bee Honey Samples from Two Ecological Zones in Nigeria

The honey bee Apis mellifera is a social insect domesticated for honey production and pollination activit ies. Studies were carried out to investigate and compare the nutritive and chemical constituents of honey samples of the feral and artificially reared honeybees fro m the guinea and derived savannah geo-ecological zones of Kwara state, Nigeria. The result revealed that the honey sample produced by the feral bees in both eco -zones had higher concentration of sugars (dextrose, fructose, sucrose) while honey sample fro m the art ificial modern bee-keeping method had significantly higher concentration of minerals (Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , K + ) than two other methods. However, honey samples fro m the derived savannah recorded significantly higher conce n- tration of minerals, p rotein and sugars. The honey samples fro m modern beekeeping methods and from derived savannah ec o- logical zone should be promoted and be enhanced for commercial production. The level o f heavy metals in honey in the market should be monitored so as to prevent the bioaccumulation of harmful ions with in human body.

Risky geoecological zones in the Armenia Highland and the geography of the human population accumulation in anthropogene

Risky geoecological zones in the Armenia Highland and the geography of the human population accumulation in anthropogene

Enviromental degradation and sustainable food security in Nigeria

This study examined how environmental factors such as deforestation, pollution, poverty, and population hamper food security directly and indirectly .Food security which constitutes a fundamental challenge to the welfare of the people and economic growth. Environmental degradation exposes the land to different hazards leading to a fall in production and productivity, income generating capacity of the of the people and the nation, impaired ability of the economy to generate employment ,inadequate industrial materials and lowered ability to invest. Environmental degradation can be checked and sustainable food security can be enhanced if famers, researchers and Government could invest in planting trees, farming more sustainably and replenishing ground water. Environmental protection should be indigenized, taking cognizance of the different geoecological zones in Nigeria and their peculiarities. Different parts of Nigeria have their unique environmental problems so solutions/interventions for different and varied. Key Word: Degradation, Environment, Security, Production.

On the Decomposition of Polarization Indices: Illustrations with Chinese and Nigerian Household Surveys

This paper explores the link between polarization and inequality and proposes some analytical methods to decompose the Duclos, Esteban, and Ray (2004) polarization index by population groups or income sources. In some cases, the decomposition methods were extended to the Esteban and Ray (1994) one. The main aim of these decomposition methods is to extend the interpretation derived from polarization indices to that of contribution components. Results drawn from Chinese data conclude that even if inequality has increased sharply during the last two decades, the pure polarization component was remained constant or even decreased on average. On the other hand, results from the 2004 Nigerian survey conclude that the population is spatially polarized, and this, based on geo-ecological zones. Furthermore, the two income sources, namely, Employment income and Non farm business income, significantly contribute to total polarization.

Geo-ecological zones and endemic diseases in China — a sample study by remote sensing

This paper distinguishes three geo-ecological zones in China: the southeast wet zone, the northwest dry zone and the intermediate transitive zone. The relationships between geo-ecological zone and endemic diseases are highlighted, with examples on schistosomiasis, Keshan and Kaschin Beck diseases, and fluorosis. Remote sensing technology has proved to be useful in identifying, analyzing and monitoring the distribution of these diseases.